2010-11 International Resource Guide

Campus Security ...................................................................... 8111

Fire Department

Melbourne .........................................................................9-911

West Melbourne .............................................................9-911

Hospitals

Student Health Center (Campus) ................................ 8078

Holmes Regional Medical Center ..................9-434-7000

Palm Bay Community Hospital ...................... 9-434-8000

Wuesthoff Medical Center ................................. 9-752-1200

City Police

Melbourne ..............................................9-911 or 9-259-1211

West Melbourne (Sheriff’s Department) .................9-911

Sheriff’s Department

Melbourne Beach ............................................................9-911

West Melbourne .............................................................9-911

Highway Patrol

Melbourne .........................................................................9-911

This guide belongs to

NAME _______________________________________________________________________

ADDRESS ____________________________________________________________________

CITY/STATE/ZIP _______________________________________________________________

PHONE ______________________________________________________________________

STUDENT NO. ________________________________________________________________

Emergency Numbers

Table of ContentsWelcome!............................................................................................... 1

Frequently.Asked.Questions................................................................... 2

Preparing.to.Leave.Home....................................................................... 4Confirm Information ............................................................................................ 4Fulfill Medical Requirements ............................................................................... 4Obtain Visa .......................................................................................................... 4

Pre-Departure Checklist .................................................................................... 6Make Travel Arrangements .................................................................................. 6What to Bring ...................................................................................................... 6

More Things to Bring or Buy ............................................................................. 7

Your.Arrival............................................................................................ 8Immigration Documentation ................................................................................ 8Getting to Florida Tech from the Airport .............................................................. 9

Orlando Airport Pickup Program ....................................................................... 9Places to Stay .................................................................................................... 9

Orientation and Check-in................................................................................... 10Student Organizations and Activities .................................................................. 10ISSS Programming for International Students .................................................. 11Housing On-Campus Housing ...................................................................................... 12 Off-Campus Housing ...................................................................................... 13

Local Off-Campus Housing ............................................................................. 13

Rental Terms You Should Know ....................................................................... 14

Local Services ................................................................................................. 14

Day-to-Day.Life.................................................................................... 15Overview of the Melbourne area ........................................................................ 15Transportation .................................................................................................... 15

Getting Around ............................................................................................... 15Driving in the United States ............................................................................... 16

Nearby DMV Offices ........................................................................................ 16Vehicle Registration Locations ......................................................................... 16

Health and Safety ............................................................................................... 17Student Health Center ....................................................................................... 18

Holzer Health Center ..................................................................................... 18Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) .................................................. 18Academic Support Center .................................................................................. 18Campus Safety ................................................................................................... 19Bringing Your Family .......................................................................................... 19Education in the United States ......................................................................... 20

Area Public Schools......................................................................................... 20Area Private Schools ........................................................................................ 20

Bringing Dependents to the United States ......................................................... 21

DISCLAIMERDirectory lists (for services such as hotels, transportation providers, restaurants, shops, apart-ments, Web sites, etc.) appearing in this publication are not endorsed by Florida Institute of Technology or the Office of International Student and Scholar Services. The information they contain has not been included for promotional reasons, nor has any information been purposely left out or omitted. Local businesses and the students who use them are welcome to submit sug-gestions for new directory listings to be included in future editions of this publication by writing to [email protected].

Money.Matters..................................................................................... 22Overview ............................................................................................................ 22University Expenses ........................................................................................... 22U.S. Currency .................................................................................................... 22Opening a Bank Account .................................................................................... 23

Everyday Expenses Estimator ........................................................................... 23

Credit Cards ....................................................................................................... 24Transferring Funds to the United States ............................................................. 24Taxes .................................................................................................................. 24

Cultural.Adjustment............................................................................. 25Culture Shock ................................................................................................... 25Thinking About Going Home ............................................................................. 25

Ways to Cope With Culture Shock ................................................................... 26

American Expressions, Idioms and Slang ......................................................... 27

Common Academic and Florida Tech Related Terms ........................................ 29

Immigration Responsibilities ............................................................................. 30Immigration Terms To Know .............................................................................. 30

Directory.............................................................................................. 34Mini-Directory Index .......................................................................................... 34Important Web Sites........................................................................................... 34Hospitals and Emergency Care .......................................................................... 34Pharmacies ........................................................................................................ 34Places

To Eat ............................................................................................................. 34

To Visit (attractions) ........................................................................................ 35

Of Worship ...................................................................................................... 36

To Shop (for Food) ........................................................................................... 37

To Shop (for Clothes & More) .......................................................................... 38

Campus.Map........................................................................................ 39

The International Student’s Resource Guide 1

Welcome!Congratulations on your admission to Florida Tech and on your decision to attend this wonderful university. On behalf of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), I welcome you to a diverse community of faculty, scholars and staff committed to your success.

Were you aware that 28% of Florida Tech’s Melbourne campus student population is international, representing more than 100 countries from around the world? Not only does this place us among the most culturally diverse American universities, it makes our campus a vital, vibrant and exciting place to live and learn. We are delighted you have chosen to study here.

Leaving your home country, family and friends and introducing yourself to a new culture may lead to anxiety and apprehension. But rest assured that ISSS is here to help make your transition as smooth as possible.

Our staff is comprised of people who are dedicated to the well-being of interna-tional students. We have extensive training and experience helping students like you meet their educational goals and objectives.

If you need assistance interpreting U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regulations, we do that too.

I hope this International Student’s Resource Guide answers your questions and provides you with access to the resources you need to make the transition from your home country to the United States and Florida Tech. If you have more ques-tions or require further assistance, please contact us.

Again, congratulations and welcome to Florida Tech. I look forward to meeting you!

Sincerely, Judith Brooke, director, International Student and Scholar Services

Contact Us

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) 150 W. University Blvd. Melbourne, FL 32901 Tel: (321) 674-8053 | Fax: (321) 728-4570 E-mail: [email protected]

ISSS Staff

Judith Brooke, director | [email protected] Lingner, assistant director | [email protected] Dubey, SEVIS coordinator | [email protected] Vaccaro, international student [email protected]

2 The International Student’s Resource Guide

Frequently Asked QuestionsThere is a lot of useful information in this handbook—it covers everything from obtaining your visa to where to shop and dine in Melbourne, Fla. But if you’re like most people, you won’t take the time to read it unless your most pressing questions are addressed first. Well, you’re in luck!

International students’ most frequently asked questions are answered here:

Q.. When.can.I.move.in.to.university.housing?

A You will not be able to move in to university housing until the first day of orientation, which usually coincides with the start date on your I-20. Further details on moving in to campus housing can be found at www.fit.edu/orientation.

Q.. I.don’t.have.anywhere.to.live.when.I.arrive..Who.can.help.me?.

A International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) can help. If you like, we will put you in contact with an interna-tional student diplomat who will assist you with settling in. A listing of hotels and apartments in the area are also listed in this guide.

Q.. May.I.enroll.in.online.courses?

A U.S. federal regulations limit the number of online courses that an F-1 student can count toward a full-time course load during a required term. For further details regarding the restrictions on online courses, visit www.fit.edu/isss/online_education.php

Q. I.want.to.come.to.Florida.Tech.as.a.vocational.student.in.F.I.T..Aviation’s.flight.program..Is.that.possible?

A Yes. For full details of the M-1 Vocational Visa Program, visit www.fit.edu/isss/m-1

Q. How.do.I.apply.for.a.student.(F-1).visa.to.come.to.the.United.States?

A Please visit http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html for visa application information. The procedure is slightly different from one U.S. consulate to another, so you will want to read the information for the particular consulate that you plan to visit.

Q. When.may.I.arrive?

A The U.S. consulate or embassy abroad can process your visa up to 90 days before the start date of your academic program. You may enter the country as early as 30 days prior to the program start date that is noted in item #5 on your I-20 or item #3 on DS-2019. You will not be expected to arrive on campus, however, until the arrival date on your I-20 or DS-2019.

Q.. What.should.I.do.when.I.arrive.at.Florida.Tech?.

A In accordance with immigration regula-tions, you must provide us with copies of your immigration documents upon arrival. These regulations apply to students from outside the United States, as well as to students transferring to Florida Tech from another U.S. school. Questions about class registration, student ID cards and getting settled on campus will be answered during orienta-tion, which is mandatory for all new and transfer students.


Q. Is.there.public.transportation.available.in.Melbourne?

A Because our rail and bus systems are limited, many Americans own cars. However, owning and operating an automobile in the United States can be expensive. Space Coast Area Transit provides inexpensive, but limited, public transportation in Brevard County through fixed-route bus systems. For more information about schedules, visit www.ridescat.com. Alternatively, we recommend the use of a bicycle if you live on or nearby campus.

Q.. Am.I.required.to.have.health.insurance?

A There is no socialized or national system of health care in the United States and medical treatment is expensive. All Florida Tech students are required to have appropriate medical insurance cov-erage. As part of your tuition and fees, you will be charged for student health insurance and you will be automatically covered through Florida Tech’s health insurance plan.

Q.. What.do.I.do.if.I.want.a.family.member.to.visit.me?

A ISSS will assist you in bringing your spouse and children to the United States. The process includes requesting completion of forms I-20 or DS-2019, along with financial documentation. The process is very similar to when you obtained your visa, since your family will be required to apply for the F-2 or J-2 visa from the U.S. embassy in your home country.

Q.. Do.I.have.to.be.enrolled.to.stay.in.the.United.States?...What.about.during.the.summer?

A U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires all interna-tional students in F-1 status to maintain full-time enrollment status throughout their program of study. Further details of this requirement can be found in

the “Your immigration responsibilities” section of this handbook. Unless it is your first semester, you do not have to be enrolled in the summer. Summer is considered your official “vacation time” from school, so you may remain in the United States and not be enrolled.

Q.. Can.I.work.while.in.the.United.States?

A As an F-1 or J-1 student, you are allowed to work 20 hours a week on campus during fall and spring semesters and full time during the summer. If you want to work off campus, you will have to apply for permission and F-1’s may not work off campus during the first nine months of a program of study. Comprehensive workshop sessions on Curricular Practical Training (CPT) and Optional Practical Training (OPT) are offered regularly by ISSS.

Q.. How.do.I.obtain.a.social.security.number?

A A social security number will only be issued with verification of an offer of employment. Information on how to apply for a social security number will be covered during orientation.

Q.. Do.I.need.to.pay.taxes?.

A Every year, international students must file documentation with the Internal Revenue Service, even if they have not worked in the United States. ISSS provides all international students with up-to-date information and resources, as well as complimentary nonresident income tax filing software to assist you in filing your income tax return forms.

Q.. May.I.transfer.to.another.university?

A Florida Tech policy states that you are required to attend for one full semester if you enter the United States on an I-20 from Florida Tech. Florida Tech will not release a student until he/she completes one semester of attendance.


You have received your acceptance letter to Florida Tech and your Certificate of Eligibility of Nonimmigrant Visa. Now what?

Confirm InformationFirst, make sure all of the information on your certificate (either Form I-20 or Form DS-2019) is correct. If any of the information is inaccurate, it is urgent that you fax a copy of the passport identifica-tion page with an explanation of the error to the university’s office of admission. You will be sent a corrected certificate before your consular interview.

Fulfill Medical RequirementsIt is your responsibility to have your physi-cian complete the medical history form you may access via your Panther Pass account.

In addition, you must provide proof that you have received two (2) measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccines and one (1) varicella (chicken pox) vaccine. Students at high risk for tuberculosis (TB), or from areas of the world where TB is endemic, are required to be screened for TB prior to attending classes. All students are to be vaccinated for Hepatitis B and/or meningitis before their arrival at Florida Tech, or within their first semester of enrollment. All students must show proof of immunization with a valid shot record issued by a physician, health department or other government agency (depending on country of origin).

If you have not received the required immunizations by the time you arrive on campus, you must do so within the first

two weeks after your arrival at Florida Tech. Failure to show proof of immuniza-tion or to receive the vaccinations will result in cancellation of current registra-tion and prevent any future registration.

As an international student who will be living in the United States, it is also a good idea to plan for medical situations (includ-ing emergencies) that may arise during your stay in the United States. To prevent complications, it is in your best interest to obtain copies of your medical records and prescriptions, to pack an adequate supply of prescribed medications (in original pack-aging) and to translate important medical documents into English, if necessary.

Obtain VisaIt is important to remember that you must obtain a visa that is appropriate to your purpose for entering the United States, usually an F-1 or J-1 student/scholar visa. In other words, if you are coming to the United States to attend Florida Tech, you should not enter the United States with a tourist visa (B1/B2) or via any other visa waiver program between your country and the United States. You will not be permit-ted to attend Florida Tech if you do not hold a student/scholar visa.

The first step in obtaining a visa is to make an appointment with the U.S. embassy or consulate responsible for issuing nonimmigrant visas for your home country, which may and should be done as soon as you receive your I-20 or DS-2019. Visa applications may be issued up to 90 days before your program start date. Visit http://usembassy.gov for a list of consular post Web sites.

Preparing to Leave Home


PREPARING TO LEAVE HOME

If for some reason you are unable to schedule an interview with a consular officer until after the start date for your program (notated in section 5 on the I-20 or section 3 on the DS-2019), you should contact the Office of Admission. Depending on the circumstances, the uni-versity may have to issue you a new I-20 or DS-2019 or defer your attendance until the following semester.

After scheduling your appointment, you should:

• Complete a visa application and, when applicable, forms DS-156, DS-157 and DS-158, which can be found at http://evisaforms.state.gov

• Have photographs taken (requirements at http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1287.html)

• Obtain valid passport (must be valid at least six months from your date of entry into the United States)

• Compile evidence of ties to your home country that demonstrates your intent to return home (i.e., assured employ-ment, ownership of property, etc.)

• Pay the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee and keep receipt. This fee must be paid at least three days before your appoint-ment with the embassy. More informa-tion about the SEVIS fee can be found at https://www.fmjfee.com/index.jhtml.

• Obtain I-20 or DS-2019 for spouse or dependent(s) who will accompany you to the United States

During your appointment, you will be asked to provide evidence (receipts, pho-tos, passport, documentation, etc.) that you have completed all of the above. In addition, you will need to provide:

• Applicable visa fees• Your I-20 or DS-2019 form

• Proof of funding • Evidence of spouse’s and/or dependent’s

relationship to you and evidence of suffi-cient financial resources to support them

While each embassy or consular post has their own visa application procedures and processing times, the requirements above are standard. It is a good idea, however, to consult the office where you will apply for specific details regarding documentation and procedures.

When it comes time for your interview, make sure to arrive at the consular post prepared. You should:

• Dress professionally• Bring translated copies of your

academic records with you• Be ready to talk about your academic

plans and aspirations in detail• Be knowledgeable about Florida Tech,

the academic department you are enter-ing and the professors with whom you hope to study

• Be prepared to talk about your career goals (which should indicate your intent to return home)

• Have all required documents with you and have them organized

Once you have been issued your visa, check to be sure that you have been issued the correct visa (an F-1 or M-1 if you have an I-20; a J-1 if you have a DS-2019) and that your visa indicates your school of choice: Florida Institute of Technology. Also be sure to check that your correct name and date of birth are recorded as they appear on your I-20. You will receive a sealed envelope containing your I-20 or DS-2019—DO NOT OPEN IT. The officer at the port of entry (POE) will open this envelope when you enter the United States.



Immigration laws limit your arrival into the United States to no more than 30 days prior to the report date listed on the Form I-20 or DS-2019.

If you are a citizen of Canada, you do not need a visa to enter the United States. However, you still need to present your I-20 or DS-2019 form and a valid passport at the U.S. Immigration border crossing or port of entry. You must also present proof of payment of the SEVIS fee. You should receive an I-94 card marked F-1 or J-1, D/S upon entry.

Pre-Departure Checklisto Confirm admission to Florida

Tech by returning your Atten-dance Confirmation form and $300 deposit

o Complete all other enrollment requirements as outlined on Panther Pass

o Decline admission offers from other universities and return any official forms

o Check the validity date of your passport

o Carefully read and understand your I-20 or DS-2019

o Pay SEVIS fee at least three days before your visa appointment

o Apply for your student visa at the U.S. embassy

o Buy traveler’s checks or obtain enough cash (U.S. dollars) to cover your expenses for a few weeks (must declare with customs if $10,000 or more)

o Obtain copies of medical records and obtain any prescription drugs you need

o Make travel arrangements (only after receiving your visa)

Make Travel Arrangements When making air travel plans, it is recom-mended that you schedule at least three hours at your initial port of entry into the United States, before your connecting flight into Melbourne or Orlando, to allow sufficient time to pass through immi-gration and customs inspection and to change currency if needed. New security procedures have slowed this process.

The two airports that service Melbourne are the Melbourne International Airport (MLB) and Orlando International Airport (MCO). From the Orlando airport, it is a one-hour drive to the Florida Tech campus. The Melbourne airport is only 10 minutes from campus. All major airlines fly into the Orlando International Airport. Delta Airlines is the only carrier that ser-vices Melbourne International Airport.

Pay close attention to the “no later than” date in section 5 on the I-20 and section 3 on the DS-2019. You are required to attend Florida Tech by this date.

What to BringBasic items of clothing are recommended, as well as a few family photos and personal hygiene belongings. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, you should bring a copy of

your eye prescription with you. Dress is informal at Florida Tech. Classrooms and residence halls are air-conditioned. Many students might want to bring a sweater or sweatshirt when in class. In addition, we ask students to consider bringing national dress, instruments, crafts or other traditional materials with them for cultural events on campus. Shopping trips to local stores will be provided to pick up items such as bed-ding, towels and other items you may want to use to decorate your living area.



More Things to Bring or BuyIn addition to the basics, you may be interested to know what typical American college students either bring to college or purchase once they arrive. This checklist may help you better determine what you need to bring from home as well as what you want to buy when you get here in order to feel comfortable and have fun.

Bath and Bed

o Bathrobe

o Bath Towels

o Bathroom Cup

o Brush and Comb

o Cologne/Perfume

o Cosmetics

o Dental Floss

o Deodorant

o Make-Up

o Pillows

o XL Twin Sheets

Clothing and

Accessories

o Bathing Suit

o Clothes Hangers

o Flip-Flops/Sandals

o Jeans

o Light Jacket

o Shorts

o Slippers

o Sneakers

o Sunglasses

o T-shirts

Décor and Furnishings

o Bed Raisers

o Clock/Radio Alarm

o Desk Organizers

o Electric Fan

o Floor Lamp

o Photographs

o Posters

o Reading Lamp

o Storage Bins

Entertainment and

Communication

o Cell Phone

o CDs/DVDs

o Desktop Computer

o Electronics Adapters

o Notebook Computer

o Portable DVD Player

o Portable Music Player

o Printer

o Stereo

o Surge Protector

o Telephone

o Television

o Video Game System

School Supplies

o Binders

o Bookbag/Knapsack

o Graph Paper

o Notebooks

o Pens and Pencils

o Ruler

o Scientific Calculator

o Stapler

o Three-Hole Punch

Sports and Leisure

o Bicycle

o Bike Lock

o Frisbee

o Tennis Racquet

o Soccer Ball

o Snorkel Mask

o Sunscreen

o Swim Goggles

o Water Bottle

o Golf Clubs

If you need to ship items to Florida Tech, use this address:Florida Institute of Technology

Shipping and Receiving, Building 540HOLD FOR: (enter your name)

150 W. University Blvd.Melbourne, FL 32901-6975


While there may be some procedures or policies you were not expecting, you will be fine as long as you take your time, have your documentation ready and in order and ask for help when you need it.

Immigration DocumentationDo not pack your passport, I-20/DS-2019, financial documents, acceptance letter or other important papers in your luggage. You should carry these items with you during your trip as they will be needed when you arrive at your port of entry.

Before landing, you will asked to complete an I-94 card by an airline attendant or bor-der crossing official. On the I-94 card, write your name exactly as it appears on your I-20 or DS-2019. Do not abbreviate or use your nickname. If you do not have a perma-nent address, use your temporary address, such as that of a family member, friend or the hotel at which you are staying.

Upon arrival, you will need to present your

passport, valid visa, the I-94 card and the sealed envelope you received from the con-sular officer. Remember, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your entry date. Be prepared to submit proof of finances if asked. The officer at the port of entry may staple your I-94 card in your pass-port. Do not lose this card. It is your proof of legal entry into the United States.

If the officer at the port of entry can-not initially verify your information, you may be directed to an interview area for secondary inspection, where you will have your documents examined and be asked some questions. Do not be alarmed. This is routine for students/scholars. If for some reason, the immigration officer believes your immigration documents to be unsatisfactory, you may receive a form I-515. If you do, bring it to ISSS as soon as you arrive. Do not mail any immigra-tion documents before consulting with a member of our staff.

If you are subject to special registration and have a fed-eral identification number (FIN) listed in your passport near your visa or on the back of your I-94 card, be sure that you receive information from the port of entry officer regarding port of departure procedures that will apply to you.

Your ArrivalYou may be anxious about the reception you will receive when you reach the United States, but do not worry.


YOUR ARRIVAL

Getting to Florida Tech from the AirportTo get from Orlando International Airport, which is approximately an hour away from campus, to Florida Tech, you may choose from among several available options. You can use the Orlando Airport Pickup Program, which ISSS provides to new international students free of charge on common arrival dates. Alternatively, you may use the shuttle services at the airport (which cost about $70) or hire a taxi, which is more expensive (over $100). The most economical way is to use the shuttle services offered at the airport. The cost for a trip from Orlando to Melbourne is usually about $65–$70. Alternatively, you could hire a taxi from the airport. This is more expensive; a one-way trip from Orlando to Melbourne would cost in excess of $100.

Taxis from Melbourne International Airport, about a 10-minute drive from Florida Tech, typically cost around $10, or you may use the Melbourne Airport shut-tle service, which provides door-to-door pickup service. The cost is approximately $7. For more information about travel to

Orlando Airport Pickup ProgramISSS understands how confusing and exhausting it can be to navigate a new country. We are therefore offering a one-time courtesy pickup service to new international students arriving at Orlando International Airport.

For full details of this service, and to sign up for a ride, visit www.fit.edu/isss. Click on “Orlando Airport Pickup Program,” under “Incoming Students” in the navigation bar.

OrlandoHyatt Regency at Orlando International Airport(407) 825-1234 www.orlandoairport.hyatt.com

MelbourneAmericas Best Value Inn(321) 768-8439www.americasbestvalueinn.com

Courtyard by Marriott(321) 724-6400Online Reservation Codes:Weekday: FITC/FITH King/2 QueenWeekend: FLHH/FLHI King/2 Queen

Crowne Plaza Hotel Melbourne Oceanfront(321) 777-4100 | (800) 2-CROWNE www.cpmelbourne.comOnline Reservation Code: ILTRN

Doubletree Guest Suites Melbourne Beach Oceanfront(321) 723-4222 Online Reservation Code: 0002222233

Hampton Inn (Hilton Affiliate)(321) 956-6200Online Reservation Code: 0560022485

Hilton Melbourne Beach Oceanfront(321) 777-5000 | www.hilton.comOnline Reservation Code: NO227611

Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place(321) 768-0200 or (800) 437-8010 www.hilton.comOnline Reservation Code: NO227611

Jameson Inn(321) 725-2952Online Reservation Code: 9FIT

Residence Inn by Marriott(321) 723-5740

Suburban Extended Stay(321) 768-9777 www.choicehotels.com Call for reservations/discount

Places to Stay

and from this airport, call (321) 724-1600 or go the airport shuttle counter located in the airport.

If you arrive early (before the required date of attendance listed on your I-20 or DS-2019), you will not be permitted to move in to your on-campus housing and will have to stay at a local hotel. This can be very expensive, so it is best to arrive on time. If you have made arrangements to live off campus, then arriving early should not be a problem as long as your landlord or apartment complex expects you.


YOUR ARRIVAL

Orientation and Check-inSeveral things need to be completed in order for you to transition into the univer-sity. Panther Pass is the key to completing all necessary processes. You can complete all processes at your own pace; however please start early as many will take some time to complete.

The Panther Pass program is designed to take you step by step through the process of checking in to the university. Your goal should be to complete the entire process before your arrival on campus. Completion prior to your arrival will ensure that you are prepared for university orientation and will reduce waiting time at university orientation.

Is it possible to arrive too early? Yes. Remember, the port of entry will not allow you into the United States more than 30 days before the start date indi-cated on your I-20 or DS-2019.

When you arrive on campus, you should report to the check-in station indicated on the orientation schedule posted on the Florida Tech Web site. Orientation will begin promptly after check-in and you will be well on your way to registering for classes and settling in.

Detailed orientation schedules will be given to you at the time you check-in. The following items will be needed when you check-in with ISSS:

• I-20/DS-2019• Passport• I-94 card

If you have a spouse or dependent(s) with you, their documentation will be required

at check-in as well. Unfortunately, failure to check-in with ISSS at orientation will result in your being reported to immigra-tion as “not in attendance” and will result in loss of your immigration status. So make sure we see you at check-in!

Student Organizations and ActivitiesThere are currently more than 100 clubs and organizations on campus. Cultural appreciation and international community clubs include:

• African Student Union• Asian Students International

Association• Caribbean Students Association• Chinese Students and Scholars

Association• FIT Iranian Students and Scholars

Association• Florida Tech Hillel• ISA – Sanskriti• Latin American Student Association• Muslim Student Association• National Society of Black Engineers

Florida Institute of Technology Chapter• Panther Cricket Club• Saudi Student Union• Taiwanese Student Association• United Nations Club

The Office of Student Activities keeps a description and a contact person for each club on file. They are located in the Office of Student Life, on the second floor of the Denius Student Center. If you do not see a club that interests you, start one! Call the Office of Student Activities at (321) 674-8080 for assistance in getting your organization up and running. More information about activities at Florida Tech is available at www.fit.edu/activities and http://orgsync.com.


YOUR ARRIVAL

Florida Tech Diplomatswww.fit.edu/isss/diplomatsYour entry into the United States is an exciting time for you and you may feel a little confused and anxious. As an international student at our institution, we would like to offer you the opportunity of meeting with one of our Florida Tech Diplomats. This group of volunteers has offered to make your arrival on campus a welcoming experience. The group consists of a variety of undergraduate and graduate students from several countries who are willing to help and assist you in adjusting to a new culture. They have volunteered their time and knowledge of the Florida Tech community to help you during the orientation process. Diplomats are available to e-mail you before you arrive on campus and help you through the

arrival process. They can answer your questions about travel and their experi-ence on and off campus as an interna-tional student. To request a diplomat’s e-mail address, send a message to [email protected]

International Friendship Programwww.fit.edu/isss/friendshipThe Office of International Student and Scholar Services invites you to participate in our International Friendship Program. This program is designed to enable students from around the world to meet members of the Florida Tech commu-nity by bringing international students together with “hosts” from Florida Tech to share common interests and friend-ship. To sign up or read more about the program, please visit the Web site.

Florida Tech’s Inaugural International Festival held on Feb. 25, 2007. The festival was a resounding success with more than 500 people in attendance.

ISSS Programming for International Students


YOUR ARRIVAL

provide safe and secure living/learning environments, which will help residents become academically successful students. We offer a wide variety of opportunities for students to experience personal growth and development through educational, social and cultural programs, which are designed to supplement the classroom learning experience.

Florida Tech offers several housing options for students including double and single occupancy rooms that have central restrooms and showers, double and single residence halls with a suite-style living arrangement that share private restrooms, along with a limited number of center rooms equipped with their own bath-rooms. For apartment-style living options, the campus provides Harris Village and and the Southgate Apartment complex, which offer one, two, three and four- bedroom apartment options. Please note that the Harris Village, Southgate Apartments, suite residence halls and cen-ter rooms are reserved for upper division students (24 or more earned semester credits).

Columbia Village

On-Campus HousingFreshman Two-Year Residency RequirementRecent research of college students across the nation shows that students who live on campus are more satis-fied with their college experience, earn higher grade point averages and are more likely to graduate than their commuting peers. Residence hall programming also enhances a student’s educational experience by providing the opportunity to be involved in a variety of activities and programs. Students find that with this involvement they achieve more professional growth and are stronger candidates when pursuing their career goals.

To that end, Florida Tech instituted an educationally based policy requiring all new full-time freshmen to reside in university housing and participate in one of the meal plans for their first two years in college. (For the complete policy, please see the Student Handbook available at www.fit.edu/studenthandbook.)

Campus Services shares responsibility with the Office of Residence Life for the management of student housing services. Campus Services handles residential assignment and meal plan contracts including billing, initial room and apart-ment assignments, and overall financial and business operations.

The Office of Residence Life provides the support and leadership for group living in the residential communities by commu-nicating, interpreting and administering polices and community standards that are conducive to maintaining a positive living and learning environment.

Both Campus Services’ and the Office of Residence Life’s primary mission is to


YOUR ARRIVAL

Florida Tech is very proud of its student housing because it’s more than just a simple room or apartment. A variety of services and activities are provided that makes it more like a community. The campus continues to renovate and upgrade facilities to meet the ever-changing needs of our student body. For more information about on-campus housing, start here: www.fit.edu/housing.

Off-Campus HousingIf you are not required to live on campus and you choose to live off campus, you are responsible for finding your own housing.

A couple of good sources to check out on the Web include www.floridatoday.com (local newspaper) and www.apartmentguide.com.

Apartment rentals vary in price. Be prepared to pay $650 to $1,000 a month plus a deposit, first and last month’s rents and various other fees. Some apartment rentals are all-inclusive, meaning your water, garbage removal, heat and possibly some other amenities are included in your monthly price; other rentals are not. Also, be prepared to pay deposits for electricity, telephone and other services.

Most off-campus housing requires a one-year lease. Read your lease agreement carefully before signing it and know the rules and regulations of the apartment. A lease is a binding contract and you may be liable for the remaining amount of your lease and/or loss of your deposit if you end your contract early.

Note: If you are a first-year student (or student with fewer than 56 credit hours), do not sign an off-campus lease unless you have received an exemption to the Two-Year Residency Requirement by the dean of students office.

Local Off-Campus Housing

Windover Health Club 310 Fitness Circle, Melbourne (321) 724-0751

The Saratoga 3595 Misty Oak Drive, Melbourne (321) 984-3161

Sugar Mill 3151 South Babcock Street Melbourne (321) 727-8728 www.sugarmill-apts.com

Lake In The Woods 333 Lake In the Woods Drive Melbourne (321) 984-0828

University Village Melbourne Apartments 3502 Da Vinci Way Melbourne, FL 32901 (321) 984-9033

The Vinings at Palm Bay 1000 Palm Place Drive N.E. Palm Bay (321) 984-4440 www.apartmentsatvinings.com

These apartments and more found at Apartmentguide.com or ApartmentFinder.com.


YOUR ARRIVAL

Rental Terms You Should KnowLandlord: An owner of residential premises or his agent who is authorized to manage the residential premises and to receive rent from a tenant under a rental agreement.

Lease: A written agreement giving the tenant the right to use the landlord’s prop-erty, with stipulations about rent, rent payment date, length of occupancy, number of person to occupy premises, rules and regulations regarding pets, storage, etc.

Property Manager: Authorized representative of landlord

Rental Agreement: Any written agreement or lease specifying rental terms and conditions

Security Deposit: A monetary deposit made to a landlord that holds a tenant to the terms of the rental agreement

Sublease: The tenant assigns less than the entire property or assigns all of the property for less than the full remaining period. However, the original tenant remains obligated for contracted responsibilities.

Tenant (Lessee): A person entitled in a rental agreement to use and occupy the residential premises

Term: The time period during which a landlord agrees to rent the property and a tenant agrees to pay rent for that property

Termination: Ending a lease or rental agreement, either because the lease or rental agreement has come to its end or because both parties agree to bring the lease or agreement to an end

Electricity Florida Power & Light Co. requires a deposit that varies according to a custom-er’s credit rating. An initial service charge is included on the first bill. To receive FPL service, call (321) 723-7795 any time or go to www.fpl.com

GasFlorida City Gas supplies natural gas to most of Brevard. A $50 startup fee is required. To begin gas service, call (800) 993-7546 or visit www.floridacitygas.com

Telephone Contact BellSouth at (888) 757-6500 at any hour to set up residential service. If calling from out of state or via a cell phone, call (800) 753-2909. A deposit is required.

Water, Sewer, TrashCharges for sewer, water and trash vary throughout the county. Deposits are required. Call (772) 664-5916.

Local Services


Overview of the Melbourne areaLocated on the central east coast of Florida, also known as the Space Coast, the city of Melbourne is about an hour’s drive south of the Kennedy Space Center and 1-1/2 hours due east of Disney World. Melbourne’s weather is warm and humid. The temperature in January ranges from 35º F (1.67º C) to 80º F (26.7º C). July temperatures range from 70º F (21.1º C) to 95ºF (35º C). The average rain-fall per year in Melbourne is 40 inches (1.016 mm).

Getting AroundFor Space Coast Area Transit bus routes, visit www.ridescat.com.

For a taxi, call one of these an hour or two before you need a ride:

Brevard Checker Taxi (321) 676-3100

Brevard Yellow Cab (321) 723-1234

Patrick Taxi (321) 777-7000

For Greyhound schedule and ticket information, call (321) 723-4329 or visit www.greyhound.com.

Day-to-Day Life

TransportationSpace Coast Area Transit provides inex-pensive public transportation in Brevard County through fixed-route bus systems. A beach trolley runs north and south and welcomes surfboards and bikes. The routes include stops at major shopping centers, government centers, social ser-vice agencies, colleges, universities and hospitals. Weekend and evening service is also available in some areas. In addi-tion, there are several taxi services around town and a Greyhound bus station at the Melbourne International Airport.

Because Brevard County’s public trans-portation is fairly limited and not as comprehensive as in many other coun-tries, international students may also choose to purchase a car or motorcycle, which would require licensing. Many students choose bicycling, as it is an easy and affordable form of transportation in and around campus. Used bikes can be purchased from other students or through the newspaper. Students should register their bicycles with the Security and Safety Office. Cyclists must comply with driving regulations and are encouraged to wear helmets.


DAY-TO-DAY LIFE

Driving in the United StatesStudents deciding to purchase an automo-bile and drive in the United States should be aware that laws of vehicle registration, licensing of drivers and traffic regula-tions are written and enforced by each individual state. Drunk driving laws are strictly enforced in the state of Florida. It is extremely important that you know the rules and regulations of driving.

In short, you must:• Obtain a license• Register your vehicle• Secure auto insurance

All operators of a motor vehicle must have a valid driver’s license. To obtain a driver’s license, documents must be presented to a Department of Motor Vehicle (DMV) office. For a full listing of eligible docu-mentation, visit www.flhsmv.gov.

You will be required to pass an eye exam and a written test. A car is not necessary to obtain a driver’s license. The DMV office is extremely busy; it may be wise to make an appointment to avoid long, long lines. When you are issued a driver’s license, it will only be valid until the end date on your I-20 or DS-2019.

In addition to obtaining a license, you must also register your vehicle within 10 days of establishing residency. In order to register your vehicle, you must provide proof of vehicle insurance and a com-pleted Form 82042 (vehicle identification number and odometer reading). You will also need to provide personal documenta-tion such as your passport, I-94, driver’s license, I-20 or Form DS-2019.

If you are buying a new car from a car dealership, the dealership may take care of the car registration for you. If not, they will usually provide you with the forms that you need to take to the registration office. If you are buying a car from a private citizen, you will need to make sure that you receive a bill of sale and the title from the previous owner.

All drivers in the United States are required to have car insurance. Accidents can happen at any time. A relatively small automobile accident can be very expen-sive. In the event of an accident, automo-bile insurance will save you money, worry and it will protect you from potential lawsuits. Cost of coverage varies depend-ing on insurance company, age of the car, age of driver(s), number of drivers and other factors.

Nearby DMV Office

Florida DMV 601 E. University Blvd., Melbourne (321) 984-4930

Vehicle Registration Locations

Melbourne 1515 Sarno Rd. (321) 255-4453

Palm Bay 450 Cogan Drive (321) 952-6325

Indian Harbour Beach 240 E. Eau Gallie Blvd. (321) 779-4009

For further information, visit www.flhsmv.gov


DAY-TO-DAY LIFE

Health and SafetyThe United States does not have a national health care system. Health care costs, even for minor illnesses or accidents, can amount to thousands of dollars. All Florida Tech students are required to have appro-priate medical insurance coverage and will be charged for student health insurance as part of their tuition and fees. International students will be automatically covered through Florida Tech’s student health insurance plan.

All students seeking information regard-ing health insurance benefits and specific details of their coverage should visit www.fit.edu/isss/healthinsurance.php or contact the university’s health insurance representative at (321) 674-8280.

It is mandatory for all international students to be covered by the university’s health plan. Exceptions may be granted only if the student has an insurance plan that meets very strict requirements in order for them to qualify for the waiver. Students may request a waiver of this university insurance fee by completing the form (on Panther Pass) and providing

proof of appropriate insurance to Campus Services within the first two weeks of the beginning of class. If proof of insurance is not provided, students will be billed for Florida Tech’s student health insurance. Florida Tech will not accept coverage by an insurance company outside the United States. Before enrolling for coverage in any insurance plan other then Florida Tech’s student health plan, please check with Campus Services (www.fit.edu/campus_services) to verify if it meets the waiver requirements.

All international students who are married or single parents who have one or more children living with them may purchase health insurance for these dependents by completing the appropriate form in the Campus Services Office and paying for the additional insurance at the student accounting office in the comptroller’s office. The student health insurance fee will be refunded and coverage will be can-celed if the student pays for coverage and subsequently does not enroll or withdraws from the university within the first two weeks of classes.


DAY-TO-DAY LIFE

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)CAPS is a counseling facility operated by Florida Institute of Technology’s School of Psychology. Its goals are to promote the best possible academic, vocational and emotional health. Their services are free of charge with the exception of learning disability testing, alcohol/drug assess-ments and psychiatric testing and are available to students and their immediate families. The services include individual, group, marital and family counseling, as well as programs for personal development and enrichment, alcohol and substance abuse awareness groups and treatment interventions. Services are provided by licensed psychologists and master’s-level graduate students enrolled in the clinical psychology doctoral program. In all cases, the American Psychological Association professional standards of practice are fol-lowed and confidentiality is respected and protected by law.

More information about CAPS can be found at www.fit.edu/caps/services.

Student Health CenterThe on-campus Holzer Health Center is operated by Omni Healthcare, a private medical provider. All registered students may use this facility and receive free office visitation and consultation regardless of insurance. The Holzer Health Center does not provide treatment for prolonged illness or chronic disease and will refer students to a local specialist.

All students must provide proof of the required immunizations, certified by the student’s health care provider, nurse or clinic stamp and a completed medical history report whether or not they plan to use the health center.

Academic Support Center Direct instructional assistance is provided to Florida Tech students by the Academic Support Center (ASC). The ASC provides free one-on-one tutoring in all required first-year courses and many other under-graduate courses, including calculus, chemistry, computer science and physics. One-to-one assistance is also offered by English instructors in writing and speech courses to help students improve their communication skills.

The ASC also offers small weekly study groups and a library of self-help materials.

Holzer Health Center Appointments and InformationThe health center staff can be reached at (321) 674-8078. Appointments are preferred for afternoon visits.

Walk-InsWalk-ins are welcome from 8:15 a.m. to 9 a.m. daily as no appointment is necessary to be seen during this time.

LocationCorner of Country Club Road and University Boulevard

Hours Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Closed Saturday and Sunday

Web site www.fit.edu/health


DAY-TO-DAY LIFE

Campus SafetyThe Office of Security and Safety is available to assist students whenever pos-sible and provides services that include personal safety, property protection, traffic and parking control, lost and found, etc. Lost or found items should be reported to, or claimed at, the security office. Unclaimed items will be disposed of at the end of the spring semester.

If you purchase an automobile, you must register it with the Office of Security and Safety within three days of your arrival. University motor vehicle regulations are available in the Office of Security and Safety. The Office of Security and Safety can be contacted at (321) 674-8111. For more information, visit www.fit.edu/security.

Bringing Your FamilyBefore you decide that your spouse and/or children should accompany you to the United States, you should be aware that it may be expensive. Major costs include off-campus housing, childcare and insurance. While there is a bus system servicing the surrounding area, it is limited and it is the only public transportation system in the area. Finding housing near a bus line can be very difficult. Spouses may feel isolated and alone.

Childcare or after-school care centers are expensive and usually have a waiting list. It may not be possible to find a center to take care of your child immediately.

Family members who accompany you must be covered by medical insurance,

which is not included in your university health fee. You will need to demonstrate your ability to cover their living expenses while in the United States. ISSS esti-mates expenses as $5,000 per year for the first family member, $7,500 for two and $10,000 for three or more dependents. U.S. consular officials may require proof of your ability to cover these expenses for the duration of your academic program. Dependent spouses of international students in F-1 status are not eligible to be employed in the United States under any circumstances. ISSS strongly recom-mends that spouses and/or children not accompany you to the United States until you have completed one academic year.


DAY-TO-DAY LIFE

Education in the United States Public schools in the United States pro-vide free education for children between the ages of five and eighteen. To enroll your children in public school, please contact Brevard Public Schools at (321) 633-1000 or visit www.brevard.k12.fl.us. The district’s main offices are located at 2700 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, FL 32940. To register a child for the first time in any Florida school, you will need:

• Child’s birth certificate• Immunization records on HRS 680

form for MMR (mumps, measles and rubella), DPT (diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus) and OPU (polio)

• Proof of physical examination within the last year, or one scheduled within 30 days

• Proof of residence, including lease or rental agreement, utility bill, etc.

• Every first grader must provide evidence of successful completion of kindergarten

You may register your child at any time. Each school has a designated attendance area and the family’s address determines which school the student will attend. Contact the Brevard Public School’s Office to determine which school your child will attend.

Area Public SchoolsUniversity Park Elementary500 W. University Blvd., MelbourneGrades: K–6(321) 723-2566

Stone Middle School 1101 University Blvd., MelbourneGrades: 7–8 (321) 723-0741

Melbourne High School74 Bulldog Blvd., MelbourneGrades: 9–12(321) 952-5880

For further information, visit www.brevard.k12.fl.us

Area Private SchoolsThe families of children attending private schools must pay tuition. Costs vary depending on the age or grade and on the school.

Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy (K–12)5625 Holy Trinity Dr., Melbourne(321) 723-8323www.htacademy.org

Melbourne Central Catholic High School 100 East Florida Ave., Melbourne(321) 727-0793www.melbournecc.org

For a complete listing of area schools, visit http://4brevard.com/schools.htm


DAY-TO-DAY LIFE

Bringing Dependents to the United StatesIn order to bring dependents to the United States, you must be maintaining status as an F-1 or J-1 student and must show that you have sufficient finances to support your family here without any of them being employed. Your spouse and unmarried minor children (under age 21) are eligible to apply for F-2 or J-2 visas. No other family members are eligible.

To begin, provide ISSS a copy of your passport, Form I-94, your Form I-20 or DS-2019 and evidence of your financial support for your family (currently $5,000 for spouse and $2,500 for each additional dependent). After review, a dependent Form I-20 or DS-2019 will be issued for the purpose of bringing your family to the United States. You will then need to send them to your family with instructions for them to apply for F-2 or J-2 visas at the U.S. consular office. In addition to the Form I-20/DS-2019, they will have to present valid passports, evidence of their financial support, evidence that they

intend to return to their home country at the conclusion of your studies in the United States and any other information that the consular officer specifies.

If the consular officer is satisfied that your family members are bona fide student dependents who intend to return home and that they have sufficient funds for their support here, he or she will issue F-2/J-2 visas to them. Your dependents may then come to the United States and will be admitted to the country for duration of status. That means they may remain here with you until you complete your studies. Your family may remain in the United States in F-2 or J-2 status only while you are here in F-1 or J-1 status.

A note of caution: Do not allow your fam-ily to come to the United States in any other immigration status or before they have received the Form I-20 or DS-2019 and F-2 or J-2 visas. If they do, they run the risk of being denied admission to the United States at the port of entry and will be required to return home.

Florida Tech’s Evans Library


OverviewYour I-20 or DS-2019 was issued to you based on the funding information you provided. Please remember that funding varies from student to student year to year; some students require more money than others depending on course of study and interests. You should not assume that you can get by on less funding than is indicated on your I-20 or DS-2019.

Housing deposits, rent, household neces-sities, tuition, books and supplies will require major expenditures after your arrival. We recommend that you bring at least $5,000 in U.S. dollars to cover your initial costs. The safest way to bring money with you is in the form of traveler’s checks. You may also choose to bring a bank draft or a check to deposit into an account that you can open at a local bank. Please note that it may take a few days for a check to “clear” and the monies you deposit may not be immediately available for you to use.

Money management is one of the greatest challenges that international students and scholars face when they arrive in the United States. Most students and scholars live on a limited budget. You must get used to a new currency, adjust to the value of a dollar and estimate living expenses. The best practice is to start budgeting from the moment you arrive. If you intend to live off campus, you will need to keep in mind that you will have “start-up” costs when renting a place to live. Bills often take a month or two to arrive so be prepared and do not spend more than you can afford.

University ExpensesStudents are responsible for making all necessary payment arrangements with the university through the Office of the Bursar. All students are expected to either pay their full semester’s expenses or contract a payment installment plan. Students making full or contractual partial payments may pay online by credit card or by cash, check or credit card at the Office of the Bursar. For further infor-mation, contact the Office of the Bursar, (321) 674-7428, toll free in the U.S. at (800) 676-9250 or online via PAWS (TRACKS user name and password are needed).

Whether you receive an assistantship from the university, a scholarship from an outside agency or family support from abroad, if for any reason you are not prepared to make payment at the required times you must consult the supervisor of Student Accounting to finalize your reg-istration. Students receiving scholarships from their home government or other agency may arrange for direct sponsor billing tuition, fees, insurance, room and board.

Failure to make payment arrangements may result in deregistration and ultimately lead to problems with your immigration status. A student may not register for a subsequent semester until all financial obligations for the current semester have been met.

U.S. CurrencyU.S. currency is based on the dollar ($1), which is comprised of 100 cents. There are six denominations of coins and six denominations of bills representing different amounts.

$ Money Matters


MONEY MATTERS

U.S. CoinsPenny: the only brown coin; worth 1 cent

Nickel: a silver coin; larger than a penny; worth 5 cents

Dime: the smallest U.S. coin; silver in color; worth 10 cents

Quarter: a silver coin; larger than a nickel; worth 25 cents

Half-dollar: the largest U.S. coin; not commonly used; worth 50 cents

Dollar coin: a silver coin slightly larger than a quarter; not com-monly used

U.S. BillsThere are $1, $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100 bills. They are all similar in size and color, although the U.S. Mint is in the process of changing the appearance of the bills. The easiest way to identify them is just by looking at the number printed on the bill.

Opening a Bank AccountOnce you arrive at Florida Tech, you will want to open a bank account. During orientation, it may be possible to find local bank representatives on campus to provide you with information outlining their bank’s services. When you do open an account, you will need to take your student ID card, your I-20/DS-2019, your passport and the funds that you wish to deposit. Open a checking account so that you can write checks to pay your bills each month and pay for items you wish to purchase.

Some students also wish to open a sav-ings account. Some savings accounts pay interest each month on the amount

Everyday Expenses Estimator

In addition to tuition and fees, you will incur everyday expenses to pay for food and other necessities, as well as for luxuries and entertainment. Here are some typical costs students must consider:

Books and Supplies: from $800 to $1,500 a year

Cable TV: $65 a month (if not on campus)

Cellular Phone: from $25 to $50 a month depend-ing on service

Clothes: at least $10 per item depending on where you shop

Internet Access: from $25 to $60 a month depend-ing on service

Groceries: about $50 a week for one, up to $150 a week for a family

Health Services: about $200 for a routine doctor’s visit (if not covered by insurance)

Meals (on campus): from $5 to $8 a meal (if not using meal plan)

Meals (restaurant): from $10 to $25 a meal

Movies: $5.50 with a student ID to $8.50

Personal Transportation: anywhere from $2,500 to $10,000 for a decent used car, $80 a month for gas, insurance from about $1,000 to $3,000 a year

Public Transportation: about $6 for a taxi ride to the mall, ten-ride bus pass for $5

Rent (apartment): from $650 to $1,200 a month depending on location

Taxes: sales tax is 6%

Telephone (on campus): local calls free, long distance anywhere from $.09 (domestic) to $2.12 a minute (intl. rates vary)

Telephone (off campus): $30 a month for unlimited local basic service, $40 a month for unlimited long distance

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MONEY MATTERS

that is in the account; others do not. You can withdraw money as needed from a savings account, but you cannot do so by writing a check. Many banks offer debit cards, also known as check cards, when you open a checking account. The card will come with a personal identification number (PIN). Do not let anyone else know your PIN and don’t let anyone use your card. The debit card allows you to make purchases and have the purchase amount automatically deducted from your checking account balance. It can also be used to withdraw money from an auto-mated teller machine (ATM). Remember, debit cards are not credit cards—you can only spend the amount of money you have available in your checking account.

Credit CardsBanks, Web sites, department stores and gasoline companies all issue credit cards that can be used to buy goods when you do not have money available at the time. You are billed each month and are required to pay at least a portion of your balance each month. If you do not pay the entire balance, interest (or finance charges) accrues on the unpaid balance. Interest rates are extremely high. Credit cards are convenient, but they can be costly if you are not careful.

Transferring Funds to the United StatesThere are several options available to help you transfer funds from your home country to the United States to cover your expenses for the year. You should check with your bank to discuss the solution that best suits your needs.

Some of the most efficient and effective ways to transfer funds include:

• Traveler’s checks• Bank checks (also called cashier’s checks)

drawn on a U.S. bank in U.S. dollars• Wire transfer from your bank at home

to your U.S. bank

TaxesSales TaxNearly every item that you buy, except medicine and some basic grocery items, will have sales tax added to its price. In the Melbourne area, sales tax is approxi-mately 6%. You should not rely on the price that you see on an item’s price tag because most of the time you will need to add sales tax to that price.

Federal Income Tax Collection of Federal Income Tax in the United States is the responsibility of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Foreign students in the United States are subject to federal income taxation on any wages earned in the United States. In addition, all students must pay taxes on teaching, graduate and research assistant-ships. More detailed information about taxes will be provided to you upon your arrival at Florida Tech.

Social Security Number (SSN) Everyone who has earnings in the United States must obtain a Social Security num-ber, the number used by the U.S. government to identify wage earners for tax purposes. It should be noted that recent legislation passed by the Social Security Administration does not allow foreign students to apply for a Social Security number, unless they can provide evidence of employment in the United States. Information on how to apply for a Social Security number will be covered during ISSS’s orientation program.


MONEY MATTERS

ISSS recommends that you attempt to “step outside” yourself, to observe your own reactions to being in a new culture and then to compare these reactions with those of other people from different countries. Your observations can result in an increased self-understanding and may help you to gain insights into the various factors that have made you who you are. If you are able to keep the perspective of an outside observer while undergoing an unusual experience, you will be able to prevent yourself from becoming extremely anxious or depressed and can learn more from the intercultural experience.

Culture Shock Some new students experience culture shock when they first arrive. Culture shock is the feeling of disorientation and confusion that often occurs when a person leaves a familiar setting and moves to an unfamiliar place. The climate and terrain, the language, customs, food and the culture are different. It is harder to convey your feelings and personality in a different language than your native one. You may feel lonely and may have doubts about your decision to come to the United States. Signs of culture shock include interruptions in normal sleep patterns, anxiety, frustration and excessive anger over minor issues. It is common to become dependent on fellow international students who are experiencing the same feelings and have the same language and customs.

Thinking About Going HomeAfter first arriving in America, it is natural to spend time thinking about the new country and your reactions to it. However, it is helpful to try to keep in mind that you will be going home after finishing your degree. It is advisable to remember that you will change while you are here. You will learn new ideas, adopt new attitudes and behave in new ways. At the same time, things will be changing in your home country. Family members, friends and professional colleagues will have experiences that you will not share and they also will develop new ideas, attitudes and ways of behaving. Social, political and economic situations may change also. This means that when you return home, things will not be as you remembered before you left. You will need to adjust to a “new” culture again. This readjust-ment will be easier if you prepare yourself before you return home. Try to keep your expectations realistic. Try not to pass judgment on people and situations you will encounter after going home. You may experience culture shock all over again.

Cultural AdjustmentWhen people move to a different setting, they must make adjustments to their usual behavior and attitudes and adapt to new cultural norms.


Maintain PerspectiveYou should remember that thousands of individuals who have come to Melbourne and Florida Tech from other countries have felt the way you feel, and they survived!

Evaluate ExpectationsAsk yourself if your reactions to the culture are the product of the way things are, or the way you expected them to be. Usually it’s a combination of both.

Keep an Open MindPeople here may do or say things that people in your country would not do or say. It is important to realize that people here are acting according to their own set of values, not according to the values of your country.

Avoid Being JudgmentalTry to avoid evaluating or judging others’ behavior according to standards of your country. This may make it easier for you to adapt to your new environment. Visit the ISSS. A discussion with one of the international stu-dent counselors can help you to get a useful perspective on culture shock and how it can be a useful opportunity for personal growth.

Learn from the ExperienceMoving into a new culture can be a fascinating educa-tional experience. It gives you the opportunity to explore a new way of living and compare it to your own. There is no better way to become aware of your own values and attitudes and to broaden your point of view.

Improve your American EnglishThe better you can express yourself, the easier everything will be. Realize that you, as an international student, will often be treated as a representative of the group to which you are perceived to belong (stereotype) and not as an individual. On many occasions, you may be referred to as a “foreign student” or “a student from country X.” This should not be taken personally, as it probably has nothing to do with you as a person. Rather, it stems from a lack of experience with people from other countries. As you learn to better express yourself

and relate to American students, however, they will open up to you and the awkwardness will fade.

Seek Guidance from OthersContact students from your home country who have already been here for some time. They will be able to explain to you (in your own language) procedures that may seem unfamiliar. Please contact ISSS if you do not know anyone from your home country and they will help you find someone.

Understand Your StatusRealize how the status of your role here compares to the status to which you are accustomed in your home country. Each society attaches different importance to individual roles or positions in the society. In many countries, the role of “university student” or “professor” is given more respect or status than it is in America. If this is the case, it can be difficult to adjust to having a lower social status in this country than you are accustomed to having in your own country. It is helpful to recognize that you are not being downgraded as a person, but that you happen to be in a society where less value is attached to being a student than may be the case in your home country.

Ask YourselfPeople here may understand little about your culture and may therefore misunderstand you and your behav-ior. They may assume that limited English proficiency is a lack of intelligence, rather than understanding that English is not your native language. Here are a few ques-tions that international students might want to think about: How do Americans make friends? How is respect shown? How do family members interact? What is the relationship between males and females in different situations? What are the dating patterns? How do people spend their leisure time? How do they deal with conflicts and disagreements? What do they talk about, when and with whom? How often do they “take turns” during a conversation?

Ways to Cope With Culture Shock


CULTURAL ADJUSTMENT

Awesome: amazing, fantastic

Barbecue (Bar-B-Que/BBQ): an outdoor party that features meat with sauce cooked over an open fire

Beat: very tired

Beat around the bush: to be evasive; not to speak openly about something

Big deal: sarcastic term to play down or belittle what someone has done

Biggie: something that is very important

Blow it: to do badly, e.g., “I really blew that exam.”

Bogus: inferior quality; phoney

Boonies: the countryside, far from the city

Bounce: to leave a place

Break the ice: to get acquainted, to make an awkward social situation comfortable

Broke: to be without money

Bummer: bad or sad situation; also bummed, bummed out: feeling very bad

Burbs: diminutive of suburbs, residential area outside of the city

Chill: to spend relaxed time, to “hang out” (“Come chill at my apartment.”)

Chill out: to slow down, to relax

Cold feet, to have: to be nervous; to be uncertain about doing something

Come again?: “Please repeat what you just said.”

Come off it: to stop what you are doing or saying

Cool: (adj.) term denoting approval for something or someone

Cool it: to slow down; to relax

Cop out: (v.) to quit; deny responsibility for; (n.) an excuse

Couch potato: person who spends all leisure time watch-ing television

Cram: to study frantically just before a test; also eat a lot, to stuff yourself

Crash: to sleep or stay temporarily at someone’s place; also to go to a party uninvited

Cut it out, knock it off: a request or command to stop doing something

Date: (v.) to go out with another person; (n.) the person with whom you go

Down to earth: practical, straightforward; simple and honest

Drag: (n.) boring or unpleasant thing, (adj.) not much fun

Drive a hard bargain: to hold out for the best terms in a trade

Drop in, drop by: to visit unexpectedly

Drop off: to deliver to designated location

Drop out: (n.) someone who didn’t graduate from school; (v.) to quit before completing a goal

Dutch treat, go Dutch: each person pays for his/her own food or entertainment

Fat chance: very little chance

Fed up: sick of; disgusted with or tired of something

Fishy: suspicious; “There’s something fishy about his story.”

Flunk: to fail an exam or a course

Freak, freak out: to show great emotion, positive or negative

Funky: a term denoting approval, often used to describe items of clothing or design

Get it together, get one’s act together: to get organized

Get on one’s nerves: to cause irritation

Get with it: to conform with the situation; make the neces-sary adjustment; also to “get with the program”

Give me a call, call me: “Telephone me”

Go for it: to take an active part in something, try to achieve some specific goal

Greeks: members of fraternities or sororities

Gross: term denoting something crude and extremely unpleasant or disgusting

Had it: to reach a limit of tolerance; “I’ve had it!”

Hang around: to wait, doing nothing in particular

Hang in there: “Don’t give up”; “Keep trying”

Hang on: in reference to the telephone, “Do not hang up the receiver. I’ll be back”; also “Keep trying”

American Expressions, Idioms and Slang


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Mess around: to play, relax

No way: a response to a suggestion of something that is wrong or that one does not wish to do

Off the wall: crazy

On me: “I’ll pay,” also, “I’ll pick up the tab [pay]”

Out of it: not adjusted to the rest of the group, not fitting in; dazed

Out of sight: exclamation of approval

Peeved: irritated; disgusted

Piece of cake: easy

Pot luck: dinner where each person brings something to eat

Psyched: mentally prepared

Pull an all-nighter: stay up all night studying

Pull strings: to use personal influence to achieve an objective

Rain check: a deferred acceptance of an invitation with a promise to accept at a later date; “I can’t make it this Sunday but I’ll take a rain check.”

Ripped off: to be cheated of money

Uptight: nervous

What’s up?: “What is new?” “What is happening?” Often used as a greeting in very informal settings

Hang out: (v.) to spend time relaxing, not working or doing anything in particular; (n.) a place in which to spend leisure time

Hang-ups: inhibitions or worries about things

Hassle: (n.) trouble, difficulty; “Catching the 7 a.m. bus every morning is a hassle;” (v.) “Don’t hassle me”

Have it in for someone: to have a deliberate intention to cause trouble for another

Have it made: to be assured of success

Put one’s foot in one’s mouth: to say something for which you are embarrassed

Hit it off: become friends

In a bad way: the situation is getting very bad

In a big way: very much, a term to show emphasis as in, “he was hurting in a big way”

In your dreams: not possible; “It’ll never happen”

Keep in touch: to phone or write occasionally

Keep your fingers crossed: a good luck gesture or expression

Know one’s stuff: to be knowledgeable in a certain subject

Lay off: to stop bothering or nagging

Make ends meet: to budget within one’s income

More American Expressions, Idioms and Slang

From left: Crawford Building, F.W. Olin Engineering Complex, F.W. Olin Physical Sciences Center


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Diplomat: a volunteer student, fac-ulty, staff member or friend of the university who agrees to assist new international students on or before their arrival in the United StatesFAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid that students complete each year to see if they are eligible for money from the government and/or scholarshipsFlexCash: meal plan spending money “stored” on a student ID card that may be used at any dining facility or vending machine on campus, for food purchases onlyGSA: graduate student assistant, usually teaches labs and helps professors administer examsIT: information technology, also known as tech supportJungle: the Botanical Garden on campus that contains over 300 species of plants and 200 species of palm trees, nice to walk through between classesMajor: a focus on a specific field of study, interest or careerMinor: a secondary focus on a differ-ent field of study, interest or careerOrientation: a week filled with events to help new students adjust to campus lifePanther Cash: spending money “stored” on a student ID card that

Common Academic and Florida Tech Related TermsHere are some common academic and Florida Tech related terms you will hear in and around campus on a daily basis.

Adjunct Faculty: visiting or part-time instructorsANGEL: online learning system; professors post lecture notes, course information, changes to schedules, discussion boards, professors can post your gradesASC: Academic Support Center, offers free tutoringAudit: to take a course without creditBachelor’s Degree: a degree received after completing four years at a university in a specific studyCommencement: graduation ceremonies held at the end of fall and spring semestersCourse Numbers: numbers that indicate the level of the courseCV: Columbia Village SuitesCVMPR: Columbia Village Multipurpose Room, located on the right as you enter Columbia Village from the bridge

may be used for purchases in the bookstore, laundry facilities, photocopy services, printing in the library and special services at the health centerPAWS: Panther Access Web for Students, an online student account students use to register for class, access records and financial aid information, and make payments to student accountsPPL: Panther Prep Leader; students of various majors who help new students adjust to college life dur-ing orientationRA: resident assistant, an upper-classman who is responsible for students living on their floor in a residence hallRAT: Rathskeller, a dining facility on campus that is located under Evans Hall and which serves grilled food items, has a small convenience store, pool tables, video games, cyber den, coffee house, stage and large screen TVRes. Hall: residence hall where students live on campusSUB: Student Union Building that contains the bookstore, mailroom, SUB Deli, student life office and student organization offices


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Immigration Responsibilities www.fit.edu/isss/responsibilities.phpAll international students and scholars are responsible for knowing the rules and regulations pertaining to their status. Failure to comply with the rules can result in serious consequences, including loss of your immigration status in the United States. These are your basic responsibili-ties as an international student or scholar:

• Maintain a valid passport at all times, provide ISSS with a copy

• Attend the school whose I-20/DS-2019 you enter the United States on

• Know the expiration date of your visa and provide ISSS with visa renewals

• Know your program completion date on your I-20 or DS-2019, follow correct procedure for timely extensions

• Carry full course load—12 credits for undergraduates, 9 for graduates. Follow correct procedures for less than full time course load

• Make normal academic progress• All F-1 and J-1 students, unless

officially sponsored by their home government or agency that guarantees student’s health insurance coverage as part of their contract with Florida Tech, must enroll in the Florida Tech health insurance plan (and your dependents if necessary)

• Report to ISSS with changes in status—within 10 days of a move, extension, transfer or program change

• File nonresident tax forms each year by deadline

• Obtain official work permission and approval from ISSS, including RA and TA College Roll positions and all forms of off-campus employment. Adhere to proper terms of employment. Apply for Curricular Practical Training, Optional Practical Training in a timely manner

• Obtain travel signatures before leaving the United States

• Notify ISSS if you are leaving school for any reason

• Obey state and federal laws• Depart from the United States in a

timely manner

By law, Florida Tech is required to keep the following information on file: your name; date and place of birth; country of citizen-ship; current U.S. address; current aca-demic status, including the start and end dates of your academic program; type of degree program and field of study; employ-ment requests/approvals; termination date and reason; registration of number of cred-its per semester; and copies of immigra-tion documents and passport. Designated School Officials (DSOs) are required to report any changes related to international students in SEVIS within 21 days.

Immigration Terms To KnowISSS understands that immigration regulations can often seem confusing, complicated and involve unfamiliar terms or concepts. To help you understand the essentials, we offer you this glos-sary of immigration terms to guide you through the process. Our office also offers workshops throughout the academic year, which cover important areas such as employment, taxes, etc.

Completion DateRefers to the date the student completes the requirements for his or her degree pro-gram; i.e., it is the date the student finishes the last class, turns in a required thesis or dissertation, or otherwise meets the requirements for the degree. It is not the date of graduation, which may follow the completion date by weeks if not months.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)DHS is responsible for securing American borders and managing the immigra-tion process. Under DHS, the newly


CULTURAL ADJUSTMENT

created United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) focuses exclusively on providing services such as efficiently processing applications for U.S. citizenship, administering work authori-zations and other permits and providing services for new residents and citizens.

School Official (DSO) An employee or agent of an educational institution who has been authorized by USCIS to verify information and certify documents for F-1 students.

DS-2019 A certificate of eligibility issued by an authorized Exchange Visitor program. The certificate enables eligible individu-als to obtain a J-1 visa to study, conduct research or teach in the United States. The J-1 exchange visitor, while traveling and re-entering the United States must also carry the DS-2019. The DS-2019 form functions as a record of J-1 status throughout the exchange visitor’s stay in the United States. It is an important gov-ernment document that should be kept at all times as a part of the exchange visitor’s permanent records.

Duration of Status (D/S) “Duration of Status” or “D/S” is the length of time for which individuals in F and J status are admitted into the United States. D/S allows students to remain in the United States as long as they are pursuing full-time studies and are otherwise comply-ing with all immigration regulations. D/S is not, however, for an indefinite period of time. D/S is based on the comple-tion date on your I-20 or DS-2019, plus a 60-day grace period for F-1 students and a 30-day grace period for J-1 students.

Employment Authorization Document Known as the “EAD Card,” it is a photo ID card issued by USCIS to

nonimmigrants, which grants employment authorization for specific periods of time.

F-1 students need to apply for an EAD card to have permission to do optional practical training and off-campus employ-ment (based on economic hardship).

J-2 dependents may also apply for an EAD card to have any type of employment.

F-1 Student A nonimmigrant who is admitted into the United States to pursue a full course of study. F-1 student’s educational expenses are usually met by personal, family or university funds.

F-2 DependentA spouse or child of an F-1 student. F-2 spouses and children may not be employed while in the United States. F-2 spouses may not study full time. F-2 children may study full time only if it is in elementary or secondary school.

Grace PeriodF-1 students have 60 days to remain in the United States beyond completion of studies to either prepare for departure or begin any authorized practical training; J-1 students have 30 days.

I-20 (SEVIS I-20) A certificate of eligibility issued by an authorized educational institution enabling eligible individuals to apply for F-1 or M-1 student status. The student, while traveling and re-entering the United States, must also carry the I-20. This document reflects the student’s biographi-cal data, school and program information and financial resources. The student should keep the I-20 as a part of his or her permanent records.

IMPORTANT: A nonimmigrant may have more than one “visa” but will always have only one “status.”


CULTURAL ADJUSTMENT

I-94 (Arrival/Departure Card) A small white card issued to all nonim-migrants by a U.S. immigration officer at the port of entry. It is usually stapled into your passport. It is evidence of legal entry into the United States, indicating the date of arrival, the classification (e.g., tour-ist, diplomat, student) and the amount of time one is permitted to stay in the United States. The I-94s of those in F and J status should be marked with the letters “D/S,” for duration of status (see above). Do not lose this card!

J-1 Student A nonimmigrant who has been selected to participate in an exchange visitor program. J-1 students generally are financially sponsored by an educational institution in the United States or abroad, a U.S. or an international government, or a private agency in support of international educa-tional exchange. For individuals holding J-1 status, there is usually a “two-year home country residency requirement” and “health insurance.” (Refer to J-1 Scholar section under each heading.)

J-1 ScholarA nonimmigrant who has been selected to participate in an exchange visitor program.

J-2 DependentA spouse or child of a J-1 student or scholar. J-2 dependents are eligible to apply for employment through USCIS.

M-1 StudentA nonimmigrant whose primary intent is to pursue vocational or technical training.

Nonimmigrant A person who is in the United States temporarily to pursue a specific activity or purpose (e.g., study, travel, business). Most nonimmigrants, including all F-1 and J-1 students and their dependents, must have an established residence abroad to which they intend to return.

Passport A formal permit to travel abroad from and return to the issuing country. With few exceptions, it is issued by one’s country of citizenship. All individuals, except Canadian citizens, in F and J status are required to have a valid passport at all times. It is your responsibility to extend or replace your passport BEFORE it expires.

PDSO and DSO (Primary Designated School Official and Designated School Official)Located in the ISSS Office; responsible for Florida Tech’s compliance with the immigration regulations as well as any system alerts generated by SEVIS. Point of contacts for students/scholars.

Responsible Officer (RO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO)Responsible Officers in charge of over-seeing and hosting the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program and reporting to the U.S. Department of State; point of contact in ISSS Office for exchange visitors.

Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)An Internet-based database for elec-tronically tracking and reporting foreign students and exchange visitors in the


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United States. I-20s for F-1 students and DS-2019s for J-1 students/scholars are generated using SEVIS.

Special RegistrationA system that enables the U.S. govern-ment to keep track of nonimmigrants that come to the United States every year. Currently, there are three categories of nonimmigrants who will have to do spe-cial registration: 1) citizens or nationals of Iran, Iraq, Libya, Sudan and Syria will be registered at the point of entry; 2) nonimmigrants who have been des-ignated by the State Department; and 3) any other nonimmigrant identified by immigration officers at airports, seaports and land ports of entry will also need to register in accordance with 8 Code of Federal Regulations 264.1(f)(2).

State DepartmentThe U.S. Department of State oversees diplomatic affairs and foreign relations for the United States. It is also responsible for issuing visas to foreign nationals who wish to enter the United States and regu-lates the Exchange Visitor Program, which includes J-1 students.

Status Once nonimmigrants enter the United States, they are classified by USCIS according to the purpose of their visit. This classification is known as “status.” Students are in either F-1 or J-1 status and their dependents are in F-2 or J-2 status. USCIS regulates nonimmigrants according to the rules specific to that sta-tus. For example, one of the requirements of F-1 status is full-time study. A person’s status also determines how long he or she may remain in the United States.

Visa An official notation placed in the passport granting permission for an individual to enter a particular country. The visa indi-cates the purpose of someone’s visit. The visa is also valid for a specified number of entries to the United States: one, two or “M” (multiple) until its expiration date. The visa does not indicate how long a person may remain in the United States, but only whether a person may enter the United States to pursue a particular type of activity (visit friends, study, work). Only U.S. consulates and embassies outside of the United States issue visas.

John E. Miller Building, location of Florida Tech’s Office of the President


DIRECTORY

Hospitals and Emergency CareHolmes Regional Medical Center 1350 Hickory St. Melbourne (321) 434-7000 www.health-first.org

Palm Bay Community Hospital 1425 Malabar Rd. N.E. Palm Bay (321) 434-8000 www.health-first.org

Wuesthoff Medical Center 250 N. Wickham Rd. Melbourne (321) 752-1200 www.wuesthoff.com

PharmaciesCVS 15 E. New Haven Ave. Melbourne (321) 409-3941

Walgreens 975 S. Babcock St. Melbourne (321) 723-4664

Places to EatCARIBBEANHazel’s Caribbean 4970 Stack Blvd. Melbourne (321) 768-6453 www.HazelsCaribbean.com

Island’s Caribbean Grill 1110 S. Magnolia Dr. Indialantic (321) 777-3111

Directory

Mini-Directory IndexOrlando Airport Pickup Program ........................... 9Places to Stay ...................... 9Local Off-Campus Housing ......................... 13Local Services ................... 14Getting Around ................. 15Nearby DMV Offices ......... 16Vehicle Registration Locations ....................... 16Area Public Schools .......... 20Area Private Schools ......... 20

Sandy Bay Caribbean & American Restaurant 4870 Babcock St. Palm Bay (321) 723-4199

CHINESESouth Korea House 3150 S. Babcock St. #B Melbourne (321) 953-5800

COLUMBIANLa Estancia De Luisa 5270 Babcock St. N.E. Palm Bay (321) 984-5170 www.laestanciadeluisa.com

CUBANThe Cuban Sandwich 101 S. Babcock St. Melbourne (321) 768-7889

FUSIONIsland Pasta Company 903 E. New Haven Ave. Melbourne (321) 723-1584 www.islandpasta.com

GERMANThe Edelweiss 2543 S. U.S. 1 (Harbor City Blvd.), Melbourne (321) 723-6555

Heidelberg Restaurant 7 N. Orlando Ave. Cocoa Beach (321) 783-6806

Pumpernickel’s Delicatessen 2850 S. Hopkins Ave. Titusville (321) 268-5160

Important Web SitesFlorida Tech Home Page www.fit.edu

College Book Store http://fit.bkstore.com

Campus Map www.fit.edu/visitors/maps

College Catalog www.fit.edu/catalog

ISSS www.fit.edu/isss

ISSS Listserv https://lists.fit.edu/sympa/?sympa/info/isss

Student Handbook www.fit.edu/studenthandbook

Health Center www.fit.edu/health

Student Life www.fit.edu/studentlife

Campus Activities www.fit.edu/activities

Security www.fit.edu/security


DIRECTORY

GREEKEddie’s Sunrise Diner 55 E. NASA Blvd., Melbourne (321) 676-6267

Gyros and More Greek Restaurant 1700 W. New Haven Ave. #389, Melbourne (321) 952-9990

INDIANIndian Flavors 2991 N. Wickham Rd. Melbourne

Taste of India 606 N. Wickham Rd. Melbourne (321) 751-4191 www.tasteofindiafl.com

ITALIANSlice of Life Pizza Cafe 3150 S. Babcock St. Melbourne (321) 768-0780

Pane E Vino Restaurant 1800 W. Hibiscus St. Melbourne (321) 676-5499

JAPANESEHaru’s Sushi Bar and Grill 3042 W. New Haven Ave. W. Melbourne (321) 676-5159 www.harusushibar.com

Hioki’s Japanese Cuisine 3360 Dixie Hwy. N.E. Palm Bay (321) 951-2710

Makoto’s Seafood & Steakhouse 785 S. Babcock St. #A Melbourne (321) 724-8751 www.makotodressing.com

LEBANESESkewers 144 5th Ave., Indialantic (321) 727-8944

MEXICANAy! Jalisco 1814 U.S. Highway 1 Sebastian (772) 388-2368

La Fiesta Real Mexican Food 850 N. Wickham Rd. Melbourne (321) 242-5966 www.fiestaazteca.com

Cactus Flower 1891 Merritt Island Cswy. Merritt Island (321) 452-6606

Rancho Viejo 1901 Palm Bay Rd. N.E. Melbourne (321) 729-8338

MIDDLE EASTERNMiddle Eastern Aromas 3150 S. Babcock St. #1 Melbourne (321) 725-5941

THAISiam Orchid 75 E. NASA Blvd. Melbourne (321) 729-6383

Thai Kitchen 1729 N. Wickham Rd. Melbourne (321) 254-2283

WEST INDIANTrinibago Roti Shop 4870 Babcock St. N.E. Palm Bay (321) 872-8888

Places to Visit (attractions)Brevard Community College Astronaut Memorial Planetarium and Observatory 1519 Clearlake Rd., Cocoa (321) 433-7373 www.brevardcc.edu/planet

Brevard Zoo 8225 N. Wickham Rd. Melbourne (321) 254-9453 www.brevardzoo.org

Disney World Lake Buena Vista (407) 824-4321 www.disneyworld.com

Downtown Disney Orlando (407) 939-2648 www.downtowndisney.com

Space Coast Iceplex 720 Roy Wall Blvd., Rockledge (321) 504-7500 www.spacecoasticeplex.com

Kennedy Space Center (321) 449-4444 www.kennedyspacecenter.com

Paradise Skatepark & Funplex (BMX course, indoor/outdoor skate park, miniature golf) 555 Fotenberry Rd. Merritt Island (321) 454-7777

Ron Jon Surf Shop (famous surfing apparel, equipment) 3800 S. Banana River Blvd. Cocoa Beach (321) 868-2211 www.ronjons.com

Satellite Beach Recreation (baseball, dog park, football, skate park, playgrounds, soc-cer, walking trails) 1089 S. Patrick Dr. Satellite Beach (321) 773-6458 www.satellitebeach.org


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More Places to Visit (attractions) SeaWorld Orlando 7007 SeaWorld Dr., Orlando (407) 351-3600 www.seaworld.com

Universal Studios 1000 Universal Studios Plz. Orlando (407) 363-8000 www.universalorlando.com

Places of Worship (churches, etc.)

AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPALAllen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal 2416 S. Lipscomb St. Melbourne (321) 724-1557

ASSEMBLIES OF GODLighthouse Assembly of God 26 W. Fee Ave., Melbourne (321) 726-9933 http://iaog.homeip.net

BAPTISTBethany Baptist 1100 W. Dorchester Ave. W. Melbourne (321) 727-2495 http://bethanymelbourne.com

Central Baptist 2503 S. Country Club Rd. Melbourne (321) 723-3681 www.centralbaptist.net

First Baptist 3301 Dairy Rd., Melbourne (321) 723-0561 www.fbcmel.org

Macedonia Baptist 2729 Lipscomb St. Melbourne (321) 729-6597

Mount Moriah Baptist 2295 Adams St., Palm Bay (321) 725-1791

CATHOLICAll Faiths Chapel at Florida Tech 150 W. University Blvd. Melbourne Ext. 8045 or (321) 674 8045

Our Lady of Lourdes 1626 Oak St., Melbourne (321) 723-3636 www.ollmelbourne.org

CHARISMATICChurch of God Praise Cathedral 840 Hollywood Blvd. Melbourne (321) 723-4861

CHRISTIAN—DISCIPLES OF CHRIST First Christian Church Disciples of Christ 2010 S. Babcock St. Melbourne (321) 723-6831 www.fccmelbourne.org

CHURCH OF CHRIST Church of Christ of Melbourne 810 Hollywood Blvd. W. Melbourne (321) 723-8233 www.melbournechurchofchrist.org

EPISCOPAL Holy Trinity Episcopal 1830 S. Babcock St. Melbourne (321) 723-5272 www.holytrinitymelbourne.org

GREEK ORTHODOXSt. Katharine Greek Orthodox Church 5965 N. Wickham Rd. Melbourne (321) 254-1045 www.greek-fest.com

INTERDENOMINATIONAL New Covenant Fellowship 4028 S. Babcock St. Melbourne (321) 724-5433 www.newcovenantschool.com

ISLAM Islamic Society of Brevard County 550 E. Florida Ave. Melbourne (321) 952-2008

JEWISH Congregation Beth-El 2185 Meadowlane Ave. W. Melbourne (321) 779-0740

Temple Beth Sholom 5995 N. Wickham Rd. Melbourne (321) 254-6333 www.tbsoc.com

LUTHERANSt. Paul Lutheran Church ELCA 105 W. Hibiscus Blvd. Melbourne (321) 723-8393 www.stpaulmelb.com

METHODISTFirst United Methodist 110 E. New Haven Ave. Melbourne (321) 723-6761 www.fumc-melb.org

Wesley United Methodist 2075 Meadowlane Rd. W. Melbourne (321) 727-7585 www.wesleyumcwest- melbourne.com


DIRECTORY

NAZARENEMelbourne First Church of the Nazarene 2745 S. Babcock St. Melbourne (321) 723-3745 www.melbourne1stnaz.org

Harbor City Church of the Nazarene 4031 Aurora Rd., Melbourne (321) 242-8852 www.nazarene.org

PENTECOSTAL First Pentecostal Church UPC 1021 Emerson Dr., Palm Bay (321) 723-2030 www.fpcpalmbay.com

SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCHHispanic Seventh Day Adventist Church3950 Dairy Road Melbourne (321) 768-2488

Seventh Day Adventist 210 W. New Haven Ave. Melbourne (321) 723-3848

South Brevard Seventh Day Adventist 8465 Babcock St. S.E. Melbourne (321) 676-3245

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST Unitarian Universalist Church of Brevard 2185 Meadowlane Ave. Melbourne (321) 725-6125 www.uubrevard.org

Places to Shop (for Food)

ASIANAsian Grocery 3280 W. New Haven Ave. Melbourne (321) 722-5000

Asia Market & Imports 1985 N. Harbor City Blvd. (U.S. 1), Melbourne (321) 259-3151

Hyundai Market 1389 Cypress Blvd. Melbourne (321) 757-7622

Kyung Sung Oriental Market 690 N. Wickham Rd. W. Melbourne (321) 751-9997

Land of Spices 106 S. Babcock St. Melbourne (321) 723-1803

Melbourne Oriental Market 2891 W. New Haven W. Melbourne (321) 952-0600

Sue’s Oriental Market 635 S. Apollo Blvd. Melbourne (321) 725-8688

BRITISH (UK)Lord Ravenswood Hall 909 E. New Haven Ave. Melbourne (321) 768-8639 www.LordRavenswoodHall.com

GERMANPumpernickel’s Delicatessen 2850 S. Hopkins Ave. Titusville (321) 268-5160

GOURMET/SPECIALTYDowntown Produce 7856 Ellis Rd., Melbourne (321) 254-4048 www.downtownproduce.com

Green Turtle Market 855 E. Eau Gallie Blvd. Indian Harbour Beach (321) 773-2001 www.GreenTurtleMarket.com

Nature’s Market 461 N. Harbor City Blvd. Melbourne (321) 254-8688

Petty’s Meat Market 1600 S. Babcock St. Melbourne (321) 725-0400 www.pettysmeatmarket.com

Wassi’s Meat Market 830 N. Wickham Rd. Melbourne (321) 242-3348 www.wassis.com

World Market 2221 Town Center Ave., Viera (321) 504-7223 www.worldmarket.com

ITALIANPane E Vino Restaurant 1800 W. Hibiscus St. Melbourne (321) 676-5499

MIDDLE EASTERNS&S Middle Eastern Bakery 1309 Indian River Ave. Titusville (321) 269-0702.

Middle Eastern Aromas 3150 S. Babcock St. #1 Melbourne (321) 725-5941

LATIN AMERICANBravo Supermarket 2517 Palm Bay Rd. N.E. Palm Bay (321) 837-1112


DIRECTORY

More Places to Shop (for Food)

SUPERMARKETWal-Mart Neighborhood Market 3550 S. Babcock St. Melbourne (321) 723-8830 www.wal-mart.com

Publix Supermarket 1411 S. Babcock St. Melbourne (321) 727-9822 www.publix.com

Places to Shop (for Clothes & More)The Avenue Viera (books, clothiers, department stores, jewelry, restaurants, shops, movies) 2261 Town Center Ave., Viera Suite 113 (321) 634-5390 www.theavenuealist.com/fl_av/avenue_viera.asp

Target (discount department store) 2750 W. New Haven Ave. Melbourne Village (321) 727-3238 www.target.com

Cocoa Village (antiques, books, clothiers, coffee, pubs, restaurants, shops) 310 Brevard Ave., Cocoa (407) 631-9075 www.cocoavillage.com

Downtown Melbourne (antiques, books, clothiers, coffee, pubs, restaurants, shops) East New Haven Avenue Melbourne (321) 724-1741 www.downtownmelbourne.com

Melbourne Square Mall (books, clothiers, department stores, coffee, food court, jewelry, restaurants, services, shops) 1700 W. New Haven Ave. Melbourne (321) 956-3393 www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=120

Super Flea & Farmers Market (open-air antiques, clothiers, fresh produce, miscellaneous vendors, novelty shops) Eau Gallie Boulevard and I-95 (321) 242-9124 www.superfleamarket.com

TJ Maxx (accessories, clothiers) 1344 S. Babcock St. Melbourne (321) 984-3921 www.tjmaxx.com

Wal-Mart (discount department store) 845 Palm Bay Rd. N.E. Melbourne (321) 953-5950 www.walmart.com

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Office of International Student and Scholar Services

150 W. University Blvd. Melbourne, FL 32901-6975

www.fit.edu

SA-316-410

2010-11 International Resource Guide

Documents